A brilliant novel of one man's quest to protect the innocent, as he tries to face down a terrible guilt locked in his own past.

Terry Naughton is head of the Crimes Against Youth unit of the Orange County Sheriff's Department. He's seen plenty of heinous criminals in his years on the force, but nothing could have prepared him for the Horridus.

Abducting children from their beds, dressing them like little angels and releasing them the next day, the Horridus is a pedophile living an escalating fantasy, Naughton believes. A fantasy that will soon lead to sexual depravity and beyond.

When shocking and seemingly factual accusations put his career on the line, he must confront his dark past. Even if he can clear his name, can Naughton do the same for his conscience?

T. Jefferson Parker is a New York Times bestselling author and three-time Edgar Award winner.

'Powerful ... What you have here is a darkly unique story that stays open in the mind long after the book has been closed and put up on the shelf.'—Michael Connelly

'In his wonderful novel, T. Jefferson Parker has created a monstrous villain who makes Thomas Harris's Dolarhyde, Buffalo Bill and Hannibal Lecter seem like three of the Vienna choir boys. I challenge anyone to sit down with this novel and get up without having finished it. What a terrific read!'—Elizabeth George

'WHERE SERPENTS LIE is the most powerful book I've read this year. I have never used the 'R' word in describing any other novel, but let me use it now: WHERE SERPENTS LIE is riveting. T. Jefferson Parker has written a tough, brutal, moving work that I simply could not put down.'—Robert Crais

'If T. Jefferson Parker isn't the best crime writer in America, I don't know who is.'—John Lescroart

'A harrowing mix of angst and suspense.'—The Washington Post Book World